Senior quarterback Josh Dobbs was nearly perfect in the homecoming thrashing, going 12 of 13 183 yards and 3 touchdowns. Despite rotating a slew of substitutes, the defense still dominated and recorded the largest shutout in school history.

“It was great to get back in the win column. I’m really proud of our players,” Volunteers coach Butch Jones said.

“I thought they prepared all week. I loved their focus, and I loved their mindset. I thought this was our best week of preparation. We practiced with energy, and talked all week long about returning to the standards and expectation with passion and energy and the inspiration that it takes to play this game, so I was really proud of them.”

Meanwhile, Tennessee also got the help it needed Saturday, as Arkansas whipped Florida 31-10 and Georgia slipped past Kentucky. The Volunteers still need win out — vs. Kentucky, Missouri, at Vanderbilt — and have the Gators to lose to either South Carolina or at LSU.

Following Saturday’s rout, Tennessee sits at No. 7 in this week’s SEC Country Power Poll.

The weekly poll includes 26 voters from SEC Country and around the country.